Chapter 157: The invitations.

"What? How could Mother agree to that?" Chris snapped over the phone, but June was already all smiles. Serena’s acceptance was an assurance she had been waiting for.

She knew Chris wouldn’t go against Serena. He might argue with her first, but he would end up giving in.

"Don’t worry, brother. You can bring Eliana too," she teased before hanging up, not giving Chris a chance to say anything else.

Instantly, she opened her messages and replied to her mother.

"Thanks. I knew you were going to understand."

Immediately, three dots appeared, showing that Serena was typing.

"It’s unavoidable. They’ve already sent us an invitation."

June frowned at the message.

They had sent them an invitation? Why would the Monterrios invite their enemies to their party? They were hosting something that was supposed to be private.

Could it be true? Could it be exactly as Chris had said? Could it be a trap?

She shook her head. No, she wasn’t going to overthink it. Even if it was a trap, she just had to be smarter than them and get whatever information she could.

She closed her phone.

If it had been before, she would have gone to tell Rauf about her mother’s approval. But she was still angry that he wouldn’t give her a chance to prove herself beyond sitting behind a laptop.

A sudden knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.

June stood up and went to open it. Standing on the other side was Rauf.

She wanted to slam the door in his face, but Rauf pushed it open and stepped into the room.

June hissed, leaving him where he stood as she returned to the bed to relax.

Ever since Rauf had surrendered the room to June, this was the first time he had stepped into it. The atmosphere felt a little different now, perhaps because its occupant had changed.

Yet, his gaze remained fixed on the reason he had come.

June lay on the bed without a care in the world, pretending as though Rauf wasn’t standing in front of her.

"I’m sorry, June," he said.

June nodded. "Of course, you must be sorry. And immediately after saying that, you expect me to forget everything, right?"

"You know I meant well. Fine, if you want us to go there so badly, then we can go."

June looked at him. What game was he playing?

"Well, it’s not up to you to decide that for me. I’ve already got Mother’s approval, and I’m going."

"Serena approved it?" He sounded just as shocked as Chris.

June nodded. "Yes, she did."

Rauf looked as though he could hardly believe it.

"That’s impossible. Serena would never agree to go somewhere as dangerous as that."

June glared at him.

"So you think I’m lying? You’re still doubting me?"

"Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way," Rauf said.

June folded her arms across her chest, although it was a little difficult now that her stomach had become a resting place for her hands.

"Well, Mother accepted. She already received an official invitation from them, so there was no point in avoiding them."

"Oh, now I can see why she agreed. Well, I’m not surprised. Just after you left, Henson came and dropped off an invitation from the Monterrios."

June jumped.

Them sending an invitation to Serena was understandable. The families had a history together. But sending an invitation to Rauf was something she couldn’t understand.

They had no history with him. She doubted they even had any business dealings with him, so why would they invite him?

She didn’t have to ask the question aloud before Rauf understood what she was thinking.

"I don’t know either, but I guess they might have heard about me somewhere."

Now June could understand what Rauf was trying to say.

She looked at him. "What if they invited you because of your business? What if they’re trying to corner you in their mansion and get hold of all your licences and suppliers?"

Rauf laughed. "I don’t think so, but whatever reason they have, there’s only one way to find out."

June pursed her lips.

"Fine. Since we’ve decided, I’ll find out as much as I can about the event, their entire mansion, and their security."

Rauf smiled. She was already thinking ahead, and that was something unique about June.

"Fine. You can do that, but please don’t stress yourself too much."

June wasn’t planning on stressing herself. She had a lot to prepare.

Most of the evening gowns she owned were from when her stomach was still flat, and none of them would fit her now.

She also needed to make sure she could defend herself a little in case the need arose.

After sharing his information with her, Rauf stepped out of the room with a smile.

He was glad that he had managed to regain her forgiveness. If she insisted on attending the party with them, all he had to do was protect her.

He didn’t care how dangerous it would be or whatever reason the Monterrios had for inviting him.

All that mattered was June and his baby’s safety. Finding out why they had been invited was secondary.

Even if he couldn’t find out anything, as long as he brought June safely back home, he would have fulfilled his task.

Soon, he was back in his office.

He opened the invitation that had been sent to him and carefully read its contents.

It was exactly as June had printed it: an invitation to Gabriel Monterrio’s birthday celebration.

His forehead creased.

Gabriel Monterrio must be the old grandfather because Rauf had heard that Dante lost his parents when he was young.

So, there could be only one person left in the Monterrio’s family to hold such a grand event.

Yet, he couldn’t help but wonder why.

Could it be just a birthday party, or was there another reason for this sudden celebration?

Well, whatever reason they might have, the Monterrios would surely be in for a surprise.

He wouldn’t hide like a coward.